Boothbay Harbor Sewer District Superintendent Chris Higgins announced Dec. 13, the Route 96 project had ceased for winter. The project started at the intersection of Routes 96 and 27 and has reached 110 Eastern Ave.

Higgins said contractor T Buck Construction expects to start back up in March and finish by the end of May, depending on weather.

“They will continue with the main line to the top of the hill at the Eastern Avenue intersection, approximately 200 feet to pick up the homes north of Bo Bo's store (Hometown Convenience).”

BHSD approved the project last January and the district received a $254,000 federal Rural Development Grant and loan guarantee for the other $681,386. The project replaces dated and deficient piping and manholes, upgrading from 6-inch diameter piping to over 2,800 feet of 8-inch diameter piping, adding nine  more manholes and replacing four original ones. The extension into Eastern Avenue will provide a tie-in point for East Boothbay, Higgins said.

The remaining work will include blasting surface ledge; and T Buck will do a pre-blast survey of surrounding properties, Higgins said. “The crew is ahead of schedule. (After blasting), they will go back and install services and then pave and do final testing and cleanup.”